Shower receptors and the like



July 29, 1969 E J. A. AMATRUDA 3,457,568

SHOWER RECEPTORS AND THE LIKE Filed June 27, 1966 /7 4% 7 gal l il H z/A H v. a 2 lye 22 9b 4 5? i,

, l I l INVENTOR.

Z 77 2 Joseph A. Amazfluda 30 00 In 0 0g //4 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,457,568 SHOWER RECEPTORS AND THE LIKE Joseph A. Amatruda, New Haven, Conn., assignor of fifty percent to Sylvia Amatruda, New Haven, twenty-five percent each to Joseph A. Simeone, (In, New Haven,

and Robert A. Wendler, Old Saybrook, Conn.

Filed June 27, 1966, Ser. No. 560,512

Int. Cl. A47k 3/22 US. Cl. 4-446 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure is directed to a shower receptor and the like comprising a bottom wall having a ClI'CHl'IISCIIbIHg upright end wall and having a drain opening arranged to drain over a supporting slab. Operatively associated with the drain opening, is a chamber defining a gas trap havlng a partition depending from a wall portion thereof and extending into a water level to separate the gas chamber from the water inlet portion thereto.

This invention relates to shower receptors and the like, and more specifically to a shower or mop receptor having a side drain and self-trapped.

Heretofore shower receptors, mop receptors and the like have always been constructed with a drain opening formed in the bottom surface thereof. For this reason it was necessary to lead the conduit connecting with the drain opening through an opening formed in the supporting floor structure of the building and to interpose the usual trap and plumbing connection between the drain conduit and the soil pipe. In multi-story buildings, as for example apartment houses, hotels, ofiice buildings, and the like, it was heretofore necessary to drop the ceiling of the bathroom or shower stall of a subjacent story in order to provide for spacing or concealment of the plumbing fixtures and trap necessary to connect the shower or mop receptor installed on the floor above to the soil pipe extending up through the building. Consequently, the installation of shower receptors, mop receptors and the like having a bottom drain required a considerable amount of effort, time, labor and material. Such installations first required accurate layout of the construction forms in forming the floor structure of the building. Then extensive plumbing and labor were required to connect the bottom drain receptors to the soil pipe, such connections requiring sleeves, tail pieces, traps, and lateral extensions to connect the bottom drained receptors to the soil pipe. Then a suspended ceiling had to be constructed in the bathroom of the subjacent story for concealing the connecting plumbing work of the shower receptor installed on the floor above.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved shower receptor or the like which is relatively simple in construction, which is easily fabricated, and which is positive in operation.

Another object is to provide a shower receptor or the like that is provided with a side drain.

Another object is to provide a shower receptor or the like which is self-trapped.

Still another object is to provide a shower receptor or the like which is side-drained and self-trapped.

Still another object is to provide a unitary or integrally constructed shower or mop receptor having a side drain and self-trapped.

The foregoing objects, features and advantages are attained by a receptor comprising essentially of a receptor member that is defined by a bottom wall which is circumscribed by an upright side wall portion. Such receptor 3,457,568 Patented July 29, 1969 forms the floor or bottom portion of a shower stall or mop closet. Means are connected to the upright walls of the receptor for supporting the same on the floor of the building structure.

In accordance with this invention, a drain opening is confined in an upright side wall portion of the receptor to provide for side draining, and which draining is facilitated by sloping the bottom wall of the receptor toward the drain opening. Means defining a self-trap is connected to the receptor adjacent the drain opening, and a lateral outlet is provided whereby the trap may be suitably connected into communication to the soil pipe by a simple lateral connection.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a receptor and integrally connected trap which can be formed as a unitary molded construction.

Another feature resides in the provision of an integrally formed receptor and trap therefor formed of a material that is resistant to stains and scratches.

Another feature resides in the provision of a unitary, side-drained receptor and connected trap which is relatively light in weight, and which can be quickly and easily installed with a minimum of effort.

Still another feature resides in the provision of a receptor which is relatively inexpensive and attractive in appearance and which requires the need of no heavy lead pans.

Still another feature resides in the provision of a receptor in which the plumbing fixtures required to connect the same to a soil pipe are reduced to a minimum.

Still another feature of this invention resides in a unitary shower receptor in which the receptor is side-drained into an integrally formed trap adapted to be connected to a soil pipe by a simple lateral connection.

Other features and advantages may become more readily apparent when considered in view of the specifications and drawings in which FIG. 1 illustrates a a sectional side view of a shower receptor or the like embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the receptor of FIG. 1 and having parts thereof shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through a building illustrating the arrangement of the shower receptacle of the instant invention as applied to successive stories of such building.

FIG. 5 is a detailed showing of a grill attachment to the drain opening.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 a receptor 10 embodying the present invention. It will be understood that the receptor 10 herein described has utility either as a shower receptor and/or mop receptor and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 the receptor 10 comprises a member which is defined by a bottom wall 11 which has connected thereto an upright side wall portion 12 circumscribing the bottom wall periphery. Connected to the upper end of the circumscribing side wall 12 of the receptor member is a laterally extending top flange 13 to which there is connected an outer wall 14, which functions to form the support of the receptor member 10 on the floor 15 of a building structure. As shown a portion of the outer wall 14 extends above the top flange 13 to define a circumscribing lip 16 which is adapted to extend into the mortar bed 17 behind the tile wall 18 when installed. a

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 it will be noted that the bottom wall 11 is slightl spaced above the floor 15 of the building so that the support for the receptor 10 is obtained by the lower edge of the depending outer wall portion 14.

In accordance with this invention, a side drain opening 19 is formed in the upright side wall portion 12 of the receptor member adjacent the front end thereof. Accordingly, to effect the side draining of the receptor through the drain opening 19, the bottom wall 11 is sloped downward from back to front toward the drain opening. In the illustrated form of the invention the central portion 11A of the bottom wall 11 is downwardly sloped from the rear to the front with the opposed bottom side portions 118 being sloped downwardly toward the opening 19 so that any water accumulating in the shower receptor 10 is drained toward the side opening 19.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 the side drain opening 19 is wholly confined in the upright side wall portion 12 of the shower receptor. If desired the bottom wall of the shower receptor may be formed to accommodate a cover layer of tile if such tiling is desired.

A means defining the trap 20 is connected to the upright wall portion 12 of the receptor member 10 adjacent the drain opening 19. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the trap means 20 comprises a chamber 21 which is enclosed at its top by the top flange portion 13 of the receptor, and on the opposed sides thereof by the upright front wall portion 12 of the receptor and the depending outer wall portion 14 spaced therefrom, a bottom wall 22 extending therebetween and interconnecting end walls 23 and 24. Accordingly, the arrangement is such that the bottom 22 of the trap chamber 21 is disposed at an elevation below that of the drain opening 19,

as best seen in FIG. 1. As shown, the bottom 22 of the chamber may rest upon the building floor 15. The arrangement is such that the portion 21A of the trap chamber which extends below the drain opening 19 forms a reservoir for containing therein a water level 25.

In accordance with this invention a means in the nature of a partition 26 is disposed within the chamber 21. As shown, the partition 26 extends from the top of the chamber so that its lower edge is below the bottom of the drain opening 19 and spaced from the bottom 22 of the chamber to extend below the level of water adapted to be retained in the reservoir portion 21A of the chamber. As noted in FIG. 2, the partition 26 is co-extensive the length of the chamber. Accordingly, a gas trap is defined on the outlet side of the partition 26.

To drain the chamber 21 to the soil pipe 27 as water is drained from the receptor 10 to the trap chamber 21, the chamber 21 is provided with a lateral opening 28 which is adapted to connect with a lateral extension 29 by which the trap 21 is connected to the soil pipe 27. As best seen in FIG. 1, it is preferred that the bottom of the outlet opening 28 be spaced slightly below the bottom of the drain opening 19 to insure that the water level in the reservoir portion 21A of the trap 21 is maintained below the level of the drain opening 19. Also, it is preferred that the lateral outlet 29 connected to the outlet opening 28 of the chamber be inclined at an angle with respect to the soil pipe 27, as shown.

A grill 30 may be suitably connected over the drain opening 19 to prohibit any objects, such as a bar of soap, from unintentionally entering the trap portion 21A of the receptor. The grill 30 may be suitably secured to the wall portion of the receptor. In a form of the invention not illustrated the grill may comprise a slide member which may slide past opening 19 between operative closed position, or open inoperative position to facilitate access to the trap 21 and connected lateral extension for either cleaning and/or maintenance purposes.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent that the receptor 10 described can be readilyformed as a unitary molded member of such material, as for example plastic, fiber glass, concrete, rubber and the like whereby it is side-drained and self-trapped. With the construction described, it will be further apparent that the side draining of the receptor 10 does not require the drain or any plumbing connections to go through the floor 15 of the building, and for this reason the layout of the floor construction forms is simplified. Also the usual plumbing fixtures, as for example sleeves, tail pieces, traps and lateral extensions are completely eliminated by the structure herein described.

Also in the absence of the need for the usual connected sleeves, tail piece and traps required for bottom drained receptors, the requirements of suspending the ceiling in the bathroom of the adjacent floor is eliminated by the instant construction.

It will be understood that the receptor described can be readily adapted for use as a mop receptor when applied to the floor of a mop room or closet. Such mop rooms are generally provided in large building structures such as hotels, apartment houses and ofiice buildings for storage of the cleaning maintenance equipment.

From the foregoing descrpition it will be readily noted that the receptor herein described can be readily formed as a unitary unit of any suitable moldable material, or any combination thereof, and which unitary construction greatly facilitates the ease and efficiency with which such receptor can be installed.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A shower receptor and the like comprising means defining a dish-shaped member having a bottom wall portion and an upright circumscribing side wall portion,

said upright circumscribing wall portion having a drain opening formed therein,

means defining a trap connected contiguous to said side wall portion adjacent said opening therein and in communication with said drain opening,

means defining an outlet from said trap means and a partition means depending from the top of said trap, the lower end of said partition being spaced above the bottom of said trap and below the lowermost portion of said outlet.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said drain opening is wholly confined in the side wall portion of said dish-shaped member.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said trap means comprises means defining a chamber integrally connected with said side wall portion whereby said drain opening is in communication with the interior of said chamber,

said chamber having its bottom wall disposed below the level of said drain opening,

and said partition being disposed within said chamber to define a gas trap on the outlet side of said trap means.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said trap means includes a bottom wall, a top wall and an interconnecting wall portion to define a chamber integrally connected to said upright wall portion of said dish-shaped member, whereby said drain opening is in communication with the interior of said chamber,

said chamber having its bottom wall disposed at an elevation below said drain opening,

and said outlet defining a lateral outlet from said chamber,

said outlet being spaced from the bottom of said cham her and said outlet having its lowermost point spaced slightly below the lowermost portion of said drain opening.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said circumscribing end wall terminates in a reversely extending supporting wall portion spaced from said upright wall portion,

said supporting wall portion defining a support for spacing said bottom wall from a supporting surface,

and said bottom wall being inclined downward toward said drain opening. 6. The invention as defined in claim 1 and said parti- 7. The invention as defined in claim 1 said trap means including a means defining a reservoir adapted to contain .a water level slightly below the drain opening communicating with said trap means,

a partition means depending from the top of said trap means and having its lower end spaced from the bottom of said trap means and extending below the level of said water to define a gas impervious seal and said drain opening and outlet being disposed on opposite sides of said partition.

8. A shower receptor and the like comprising a dish-shaped member having bottom Wall and integrally connected upright side wall circumscribing the periphery of said bottom wall,

a laterally and outwardly extending flange connected to the upper end of said circumscribing side wall, and .a depending support wall connected to the outer end of said lateral flange, said depending support wall defining a support for said dish-shaped member, and

said side wall having a drain opening formed therein, said drain opening being wholly confined in the plane of said side wall,

a trap means integrally connected to the side wall of said dish-shaped member adjacent the drain opening therein,

said trap means including a chamber having a top, bottom, and interconnecting wall portion defining a chamber in communication with said drain open- 111g,

said chamber having its bottom disposed at an elevation below that of said drain opening,

and means defining a lateral outlet from said chamber,

said lateral outlet means being positioned above the bottom of said chamber at substantially the same elevation as the drain opening whereby the bottom of said chamber between said drain opening and said lateral outlet defines a reservoir for containing a liquid level,

a partition depending from the top wall of said chamber interiorly thereof, said partition extending below the level of said liquid adapted to be confined in said chamber to define a gas trap on the lateral outlet side of said partition,

and means defining a grill for said drain opening.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said bottom wall defines a central portion sloping downward toward said drain opening and opposed outboard portion sloping toward said central portion to drain toward said drain opening.

10. A receptor adapated to be supported over a sup porting floor structure of a building comprising,

means defining a dish-shaped member having a bottom wall portion and an upright circumscribing side wall portion, means defining a chamber connected adjacent a portion of said upright circumscribing wall portion,

said chamber having a bottom wall portion disposed below the bottom wall of said dish-shaped member,

means defining an opening in said dish-shaped member in communication with said chamber wherein said opening drains said dish-shape into said chamber, said drain opening being disposed above the level of said supporting floor structure, a partition means depending from the top of said chamber, the lower end of said partition being spaced above the bottom of said chamber and below the lowermost portion of said outlet and means defining an outlet for said chamber.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said opening means draining into said chamber is formed in the upright circumscribing side wall.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11 whereby said partition means divides said chamber into two sections including an inlet section and an outlet section.

13. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein the bottom wall of said chamber is disposed below the bottom wall of said dish-shaped member and above the level of said supporting fioor structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 4-206 122 3? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION z ent N 3,457,568 Dated July 29, 1969 Inventor(s) J. A. Amatruda It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the claims:

14. A side trap adapted for use with a shower receptor or the like comprising:

means defining a chamber including oppositely spaced side walls,

interconnected end walls between said side walls,

a top wall, and

a bottom wall,

means defining an inlet opening formed in one of said side walls,

said inlet means being spaced above said bottom wall,

and means defining an outlet being oppositely disposed in the other side wall,

said outlet means being spaced above said bottom wall so that a water level may be maintained on the bottom of said chamber, between said inlet and outlet means,

and said outlet means having its lowermost portion [slight] slightly spaced below the lowermost of said inlet means so that said water level is maintained slightly below said inlet means,

a partition means extending between said end walls between said inlet and outlet means,

said partition being connected to and depended from said top wall, and a said partition having its lower end [entending] extending below the level of the water, and spaced from the bottom wall to define a gas impervious seal between the outlet means and the inlet means.

In the heading to the printed specification, line 9, "13 Claims" should read r 14 Claims SIGNED AND J SEALED JUL 211970 SEAL) Aneet:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr WI m1 M E. 50mm, JR" 8 0mm Comissioner of Patents 

